The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-07
Fears that Parnell's Political Career May
Be Brought to a Sudden End.
The Car Will Commute the Death Sentences
of All Except Two of the Convicted Mill
ists-General News by Ocean Cables.
THE DILLON LIBEL.


resuming the debate in the Commons. this even
ing on the motion to appoint committee to in
auire into the Times's charges against Mr.. Dill
Ion, suggested. amid derisive ParnelIte laughter.
that royal commission be appointed to inquire
into all charges against the Parnelites. He
said he made the suggestion on his own responsi-
oility, and asked the Irish bers, on this day
above all others-the anniversary of the Phoenix
Park murders-not to throw any obstacles in
the way of an impartial inquiry.
Sir Henry James regretted that responsible
speakers among the Liberals had asserted that
the administration of justice in England was
defective and improbable that fair trial could
not be obtained the issues involved in this
controversy He asked what single instance
could be given to prove this scandaous asser-
ton. He defed Sir Charles Russell to point out
a single case in support of such statement. If
English committeeman were just. why not jury
men in the law courts! If the proposal of the
opposition should be carried out. it would imply
that member of the House who had been at
tackled in the newspapers need only
before the House, pronounce the state
ment false, and demand that the publisher
be convicted of breach of privilege. If mem
bers of the House had regard for their reputa-
ton, the courts of law were open to assist them
to vindicate their character and punish the libel
GUS offenders. Cheersl
Mr.. Healy said that every possible question
seemed worthy of inquiry by the House
except question affecting the character
of its members. The Parnelites did not
not a pinch of snuff whether they got
this inquiry or not, but if the government
jority refused the inquiry, the name of British
gentleman would be placed level with that
of the Indian thug. The Parnellites challenged
the Tories to combat at once this question.
They would stand technical reference,
but would meet any charges brought against
them. From the decision of the majority of the
House the Parnellites would appeal to the people
outside. and to other nations. The Irish people
never sent them there TO beg favors. but to de
nand rights. In spite of all obstacles they
would. in time. obtain their rights tcheess
Colonel Saunderson said he did not wonder
that Gladstone tried to whitewash his Irish
friends, who were now supplying his policy.
Why, he asked. should the House appoint COM
1nittee to inquire into charges sustained by such
proofs as the Times ofereda He challenged Dir.
Dillon to disprove the Times's evidence.
Mr. Dillon-I have offered to enter into the
charges fully before the committee shall
longer exchange the lie with members of the
House over them. Cheers
Mr.. Saunderson said committee, limited as
in the Gladstone proposition could only deal
with one charge, and its decision would be prac-
tically worthless upon the general accusations.
The only way to obtain full inquiry by
trial in open court embracing all charges.
Henry Fowler, Liberal, said he must decline
to believe English juries infallible, especially
when political question was involved. He re-
minded the House, typical instance of the
gross injustice done Lord Cochrane. Was a
special jury, drawn from London traders, he
asked better qualified to deal with this aues-
ton than committee selected from members of
Parliament The Parnellites did not desire to
limit the inquiry. He had telegram from Mr..
Parnell stating that he was quite willing to ex-
tend the inquiry to include the forged let
ter published by the Times. lCheers.
Mr. Goschen warmly defended Mr. Smith
against the attacks of the Parnellites. He ex-
pressed regret that Mr.. Gladstone had been
present to hear the style of oratory indulged in.
While Mr.. Goschen was speaking Mr.. Glad
stone entered the House, and greeted with
loud cheers.
Mr.. Goschen continuing, said he doubted if
there was any precedent analogous to the pres
ent Those quoted cases in which
there had been no other court open to the per-
son aggrieved. In this case the tribunals of the
country were open. The accusation that the
government was indifferent to the honor of the
House was not deserved. They ought not to
hastily hamper the freedom of the press. If the
House undertook the charge of the character of
its member it would need a permanent commit
tee, and the editor of United Ireland would be
in constant attendance at the bar of the House.
Replying to cries of name, name" Mr..
Goschen said that if Mr.. Gladstone had treated
the charges against Ministers while Earl Spencer
was in Office as privileged questions. the editor
would have always been before the House. The
Times, he continued. might consider Itself SLAM
dered by the Parnellites. The proper tribunal
to decide what was and what was not SANDER
was court of law Mr. Gladstone in this
to the classes in preference to the masses.
Mr.. Dillon denied that there was any parallel
between the case of the Times and that of United
Ireland The Parnellites We're not in the habit
of reading the latter paper to Parliament The
Times had made charges for years, but he had
not thought it his duty to repudiate them until
they had been repeated in Parliament The con-
troversy had been forced upon the Parnellites
If they had avoided it. they would have been
taunted with being towards and cravens He
was acting solely in the interests of the houses.
He did not care for his own reputation except !
in his country. where it unassailable. |
They were willing that the committee should in |
Quire into every definite charge which the Times |
had brought. Further, they believed that they |
had clews which would enable them 60 trace the /
forger of the letter and expose the whole
spiracy in its nakeoness to the British public.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt said he was sure |
the country would regard Mr. Diilon's appeal AS /
a serious matter. He main ntaiued that expert |
snce had shown the futility of political prosecu-
tions. Such inquiry had mover before been
refused when the honor of member was i'm
peached.
Mr.. Smith said that the government had the |
strongest desire for an impartial inquiry |
under the authority of Parliament. but they |
were prepared to resist the reference of the mat
ter to a committee of partisans.
Mr.. Morley. on behalf of Mr.. Gladstone. said I
that the Liberals fully accepted the extension OF
the inquiry which Mr. Dillon had suggested
Mr.. Gladstone's motion rejected-3l1.t to |
,33
Sir Edward Clarkes motion. that the House |
decline to treat the Times's publication as /
breach OF privilege, was agreed TO.
the Tines this morning says IL reloices that
Parliament was not ensnared into establishing /
lew and embarrassing precedent by the appoint
nent of committee hear the Dillon case.
The committee would have been engaged, says +
he Times, in what lawyers call fishing inquiry. /
It's action would not have bound the Par I
,e!lites in any respect whatever, and would have /
eft open 10 them all the remedies they now /
Ihirk, but to which Eoras of them might rezo.t